(S) SINGAPORE MIGHT RELEASE PRECURSOR CHEMICALS TO

S E C R E T SINGAPORE 001258 SIPDIS SIPDIS ISN FOR MARK FELIPE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2017 TAGS: KNNP PARM PREL MNUC ETTC IR SN SUBJECT: (S) SINGAPORE MIGHT RELEASE PRECURSOR CHEMICALS TO SHIPPER REF: A. SINGAPORE 1242 ¶B. SINGAPORE 1003 ¶C. SINGAPORE 852 ¶D. STATE 57239 Classified By: E/P Chief Ike Reed for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (S) MFA's International Organizations Directorate Deputy Director Michelle Teo-Jacob said that Singapore was close to determining the fate of 20 containers of missile propellant precursor it seized on April 21 (reftels). Without saying so directly, she indicated during a June 28 meeting that if Singapore were unable to identify a basis under domestic law for otherwise disposing of the chemical, it would likely eventually be returned to the Chinese shipper. She said that there had been "exhaustive" discussions between MFA and the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) on Singapore's obligations and responsibilities under UNSCRs 1737 and 1747, but that the AGC had thus far not identified a legal basis for continuing to hold the chemical. ¶2. (S) Teo-Jacob added that the GOS is still exploring the issue and would hold the shipment as long as possible, but suggested that Singapore had nearly come to the conclusion that its legal options were limited. She said that Singapore Customs, in particular, was apprehensive that the shipper might file a lawsuit if the chemicals were not returned. (Note: If the Iranian entity had not yet paid for the cargo, the shipper may have grounds to demand its return. End note.) Teo-Jacob noted Iran had inquired about the status of the shipment and "rattled sabers", but Singapore still felt that the UNSC resolutions justified the inspection and seizure. (Note: Teo-Jacob told us that Iran had claimed that the chemical was sodium chloride, but that the GOS had confirmed it was in fact sodium perchlorate. End note.) Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm HERBOLD